Spreader for paste tubes



J. J. SZHMERLER SPREADER FOR PASTE TUBES Filed Sept. 14, 1955 1/ villi/111119 J 1 Sch merler Patented Dec. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES PA ENT OFFICE:

. 1,982,833 I SPREADER FOR PASTE TUBES Joseph J. Schmerler, New York, N. Y. Application September 14,1933, Serial No. 689,473 I 7 Claims. r01. 91 67.4)

This invention relates to improvements in paste tubes and pertains particularly to an attachment for such a tube for facilitating the spreading of an expelled portion of the contents of the same.

In the use of tubes of paste material such;

for example, as shaving cream, vase1ine, ointments or other substances of a similar nature, the user is required, after expelling the desired amount of the contents of the tube, to wipe off 10 the tube nozzle either with the finger or with a cloth. v V

This procedure is mussy and unsatisfactory and makes desirable a means whereby the spread: ing of the expelled material may be easilyaccomplished without the use of the fingersor a cloth and the quick and easy shutting off of the escape passage when the desired amount of material has been discharged.

The primary object of the present invention is to overcome the undesirable features incident to the use of paste tubes as above explained, by the provision of an applicator which is designed to form an extension or continuation of the paste tube nozzle and which is adapted to facilitate the ready spreading of the extracted substance of the tube.

Another objectof the invention is to provide an applicator and spreader device of the character set forth wherein means is associated therewith whereby the discharge outlet maybe readily opened or closed as desired to permit of the discharge or to effect the cutting ofi of the contents as required. y I H The invention broadly contemplates the provision of a novel type of disk-like spreader element to the central portion of which is connected a tube. The free end of this tube'is engaged over the outlet nozzle of the paste tube so that the substance of the paste tube may be conveyed 40 through the tube of the attachment to and through the center of the dEsk'like head portion thereof. adapted to be spread out to form a flat contacting surface which is designed to efiect the ready 4 spreading of the material. Means is also provided for securing the attachment tubeto the paste tube outlet and for closing the attachment tube so that the contents of the paste tube cannot pass therethrough. I

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is This head is normally cone-shaped and not confined to any strict conformity withithe showing of. the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or-modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appendedclaims. l

In the drawing:

Figure 1 isa view in sideelevation, on an enlarged scale, of the device embodying the pres ent invention, showing the same applied;

Figure 2' is a vertical sectional view through the device as illustrated in Figure 1, showing the tubular portion of the spreader uncompressed;

' Figure 3' isa view in topplan of the spreader;

Figure 4; is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 ofFigure 1'; r

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken-on the line 5- 5 of Figure l. e

Referring now more particularly to the drawing wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 indicates a collapsible paste tube of the type commonly employed for cold creams, shaving cream and other similar substances, which has a discharge nozzle 2 which is normally closed by a removable cap (not shown) The device embodying the present invention and constituting an attachment for the tube 1 is indicated as a whole by the numeral 3 and comprises a hollow conical or funnel-shaped head 4 to the apex of which is joined the short tube or spout 5 which opens into the interior thereof, as illustrated. This body 3 is formed throughout of rubber so that the tubular portion may be read. ilycompressed and the head portion may be readily spread out to form a flat disk, in the manner hereinafter described. 7 i A The free end of the tube 5 is applied to the nozzle 2 by expanding or stretching the tube over the nozzle and the attachment tube is securely held on the nozzle by the specially designed holding element which is indicated generally by the numeral 6. This holding device 6 is also designed to perform the function of closing the tube 5 so as to prevent the accidental escape of the contents of the collapsible tube 1. The device 6 is preferably stamped from flat or ribbon-like resilient metal and is generally U-shaped in configuration, having a central yoke portion 7 which is normally disposed to extend longitudinally of the attachment tube 5 and the terminal spaced parallel arms 8 and 9. The arm 9 is extended to form the reversely bent spring loop or collar 10 which resiliently engages around the attachment tube 5 and the nozzle 2 over which the attachment tube is engaged to secure the latter on the nozzle. 'I'he arm 8 also has an extended reversely bent portion which is indicated by the numeral 11 and which, as shown, normally extends parallel to and in close proximity with the arm 8 and at its free end, which extends beyond the portion 7, is enlarged as indicated at 12 to form a finger tip or terminal. The outer edge of the intermediate portion 7 of the device is also enlarged midway of its ends as indicated at 13 to facilitate the engagement of the device between the fingers for the actuation of the shut-off clip which is formed by the arm 8 and the reversely bent portion 11 thereof.

As illustrated, the attachment tube 5 is compressed between the elements 8 and 11 of the shut-off portion of the device so that in order to discharge some of the contents of the collapsible tube it is necessary for the user to engage the tab 13 with the thumb and press upon the portion 12 of the part 11 so as to separate the parts 8 and 11 and thus allow the tube 5 to open.

The interior surface of the head portion 4 of the device is provided with the concentrically arranged ribs 14 which at spaced points are joined by the intermediate upstanding connecting portions 15.

Adjacent the apex portion of the head, the latter is provided with a series of openings 16 and the wall is longitudinally slit from the edge in to each of these openings as indicated by the numeral 17. These slits permit the head to be spread out into a flat disk by the application of the edge about the open part thereof to a flat surface and the apertures 16 prevent the tearing or splitting of the body when this spreading action is produced.

In order to prevent the outward curling of the portions of the head 4 lying between the slits 17, when the head is spread, the outer surface of the head is provided with the longitudinally extending stiffening ribs 18.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that with the device embodying the present invention attached to a collapsible paste tube, the required amount of the contents of the tube may be readily discharged and spread over a surface without muss and without getting any of the same on the hands. As soon as the arm portion 11 of the shut-off device is released the tube 5 of the head will be compressed and closed-so that no more material of the collapsible tube will escape. By providing the inner surface of the head 4 with the annular ribs 14 and the connecting portions 15 therebetween, the spreading of the discharge material is more readily effected and also the sticking of the head to the surface is prevented.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:-

1. An attachment for a collapsible paste tube having a nozzle, comprising a body having a circular cone-like spreader head of a relatively thin resilient material and adapted to spread out to an increased diameter when. applied to a sur-'- face, and a tube connected with said head at its constricted end and adapted to have its other end connected with said nozzle.

2. A spreader attachment for a collapsible paste tube, comprising a hollow conical body of relatively thin yieldable material having an opening through the apex and open at the base portion thereof, said body having slits formed therein from the base edge and a tube connected with the apex opening and adapted to be joined to the discharge nozzle of the paste tube.

3. An attachment for a. collapsible paste tube having a discharge nozzle, comprising a funnellike head of resilient material having slits formed longitudinally therein from the free edge whereby the diameter of the body may be enlarged when applied to a surface, a tube extending from the apex portion of the head, said tube being of resilient material and adapted for engagement over the paste tube nozzle, and means for shutting-off the passage of material through the head attached tube.

4. An attachment for a collapsible paste tube having a discharge nozzle, comprising a funnellike head of resilient material, a tube extending from the apex portion of the head, said tube being of resilient material and adapted for engagement over the paste tube nozzle, and means for shutting-off the passage of material through the head attached tube, said head being longitudinally slit from its free edge whereby spreading of the same is facilitated.

5. An attachment for a collapsible paste tube having a discharge nozzle, comprising a funnellike head having a tube connected with the apex portion thereof, said head and tube being of rubber, and said tube being designed for connection with said nozzle, said head being longitudinally slit to facilitate spreading of the same, a plurality of ribs formed concentrically of and on the inner surface of the head, and means for compressing the tube for shutting 01f the flow of material therethrough.

6. An attachment for a collapsible paste tube having a discharge nozzle, comprising a compressible tube connected at one end with the nozzle, a spreading element at the other end of the tube, and a substantially U-shaped element having two lateral parallel legs, one of said legs being reversely bent to form a clip engageable about the tube and nozzle to secure the tube thereto and the other of said legs being reversely bent to form a resilient clasp in which the tube is compressed to shut-off the flow of material therethrough.

'7. An attachment for a collapsible paste tube having a discharge nozzle, comprising a compressible tube adapted to have one end engaged over said nozzle, a spreader at the other end of the tube, and a substantially U-shaped element having a central yoke portion and parallel laterally extending leg portions, one of said leg portions having a reversely bent extension forming a spring clip for engagement about said nozzle and tube, the other of said leg portions having a reversely bent extension forming with the adjacent arm a spring clasp by which the tube is compressed, said last reversely bent extension being extended beyond said yoke portion and said yoke portion being enlarged intermediate its ends to form a finger-hold.

JOSEPH J. SCHMERLER. 

